Types of Hand Hammered Singing Bowls

Ways of Manufacturing Singing Bowls

In today's blog post, we’d like to explain the different manufacturing techniques used to make singing bowls. To be clear, we’re focusing on how the bowls are made, and not the various shapes and styles (such as Remuna, Thadobati/Tara, Unusual, etc.).

Cast and Machine-Made Singing Bowls

These singing bowls are mass-produced, typically using casting methods and large pieces of machinery. Because they are made in large quantities, often from brass or lower-cost alloys, they are generally inexpensive. Even the mallets provided with these bowls are hollowed out and not solid hardwood. 

These singing bowls may be plain with minimal decoration or highly decorated. Machine-made bowls are ideal if you’re looking for an inexpensive souvenir. While they are often quite heavy and can be easy to play, they tend to lack the rich overtones of hand hammered singing bowls and long sustain. Due to their thick walls, the vibrations are usually minimal compared to higher-quality bowls.

Cast and then Hand Hammered Singing Bowls

With these bowls, casting is the primary manufacturing technique used. After casting, artisans hammer the exterior walls to create a hand-hammered finish.

These bowls are typically made from brass or other cheaper alloys and often feature decorative elements or stamped engravings. They tend to have thick walls and a heavier feel. Although they can be easy to play and produce sound, they generally lack complex overtones and offer weaker vibrations.

Hand Hammered Singing Bowls

The highest-quality singing bowls are traditionally made from an alloy primarily composed of copper and tin. In 5-, 7-, or 9-metal bowls, the additional metals are present only in trace amounts (usually less than 2%). 

The process begins by melting the alloy and pouring to form small metal discs. Each disc is then shaped into a bowl entirely by hand through hundreds of individual hammer strikes.

Two important points to note:

1. Quality of the raw material – Even at this disc stage, you can feel the density and weight of the metal. These alloy discs are solid and heavy. When struck with a mallet, they already produce a clear ring which attests the quality of the bowl that is being made.

2. True hand craftsmanship – Every hammer strike is applied manually (we didn't see any workshops that used hammering machines). Because no two strikes are identical, each bowl develops its own unique character and soundscape. This hand-hammering process also contributes to the development of rich overtones and sustained resonance.

As a small, family-run business, we decided on day 1 to source the best quality bowls that we could, i.e. all our bowls are 100% hand hammered. We didn't see the point in importing the singing bowls all the way into Australia via air freight, only for them to be of inferior quality. Every individual piece in our website has been made using this process. 

We invite you to see our range of singing bowls online.